Warriors Arise: February 4, 2024
Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
How did we get from "remove the plank..." to "do not give what is holy to the dogs..."? It seems like quite a jump in idea. Or is it? If we keep this verse in place, immediately following the "judge not, that you be not judged" follow by removing the plank form your own eye before helping another see the speck in their own eye, then we can see Jesus isn't telling us to remove ourselves from judging others.
How would someone identify another as a dog or a swine if they are not judging that person? We need discernment to know if we are talking to a dog, swine or someone who will listen and be turned from their sin.
James 5:18 & 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
In order to be a part of God's plan in saving a soul but leading them to Jesus as well as sharing the truth so we cover a multitude of sins, we have to assess people. We have to judge. Are they dog, just looking for a fight? Do they find a reason to debate or argue or challenge you on your Biblical view? If they are just looking for a fight then we are to release them. We are not to enter into the fight against them. Understand, when a Christian enters into an argument, they have already lost. In Romans 2:4, we are told it is kindness that leads to repentance. It is not arguing over Scripture that leads someone to Jesus.
The swine Jesus is referring to, the ones that will trample you under feet and tear your clothes off, would be wild boars. They are fierce. They will fight to the death. These are people who will chew you up and spit you out just because you walked in the room. They will take what you have shared about Jesus Christ and work you over to the point you will wonder what you believe about Christ. They will cause you to question God. They will take your most prized possession, your love for Jesus Christ and crush it. They will devour you and what you believe. Have you shared your faith with someone and been mocked or belittled? Have you shared a testimony of what God has done or has promised to do only to have a swine trample on it? Did they tell you it was impossible? Did they tell you that it couldn't be done? Did they accuse you of being in pride? Did they take your testimony and laugh at you?
Jesus is telling who to identify who you and I are to share our testimony and who we are not. He is directing those listening how to identify the dogs and the swine in their lives. Who is receive your testimony and who is out to sample it? Those who are identified as the dogs and swine are not to be given our time or our testimony. We can step around them and move onto those who will receive the word of testimony of Jesus Christ.
My Father is heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I do not want my testimony or my faith to be trampled. I want to be able to share boldly. Even so, I would like to operate in discernment. I would like to see. I do not want to get entangled with swine and do I do not want to be in a fight with a dog. I want to go to those who will receive Your word. I pray for favor when I share and wisdom with whom I share of what You have done in my life, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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